Rotatable sign



Patented Dec. 178, 192.8.

UNITED; 'STAT-'Esi 'ears man 'HINKSJ Urrea@ Borsa' suini.y

@Temeer 51er.

Application led June 2,

This invention relates to a sign apparatus Y and pertains particularly to a. rotatable sign.

The primary object of the presentinvention is ,to provide a signstructure designed 4 to be rotated by the wind, of novel construction whereby arotation at a moderate speed will be obtained. l

Another object ofthe invention is to provide, in asign, novel means for catching wind to cause rotation of the saine. I Y

l `Astill further object of the invention is to provide, in a 4rotatable sign, an improved "means for mounting the saine to permit free` movement thereof. Y

The invention will bebest understood `from a consideration of the 'followingl detailed de-f scription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings yforming part of thisspecification, with 'the understanding, however, that the invention isfnot confined to any strict conformity withV the `Ashowing of the drawings but may be lchanged or modiiied'so long as such changes or modifications ma'rlrno material departure from thesalient features of the invention aseXpressed the appen dedv sponding parts throughout, the numeral 1 incates generally the sign body embodying the present invention, a support therefor being indicated by the numeral 2.

The sign comprises a horizontally positioned elongated relatively wide rectangular' frame 3 comprising the top and bottom bars i and 5 respectively and the connecting end bars 6. The bars of which the frame 3 is made up are relatively wide and the frame has positioned therein 'the sign board 7 which is arranged to extend at an angle with respect to the side faces of the frame, that is, the board at one end has one face substantially ush with one side edge of one end' rail while at the other end the other face 'is substantially flush with the other end rail at the i928,A serial No. assess,

opposite side edge thereof, thus formingthe relatively long air pockets 8 one at each end of the sign. i I

The-sign 7 is made up ofa fra-ine 7 which iits within the vframe 6 as shown in Figure 2, and has acorering sheet `7l..overlyiiig each face. K' i Thesecovering sheets maybe made ,of metal or'thin wood. A Y y 1 n i j As is clearly sho-wn in Figure 2,each of Ythese pockets is of gradually decreasing vdepth from one end of thereof.

^ The top and bottom rails'li and 5 of the sign frame are provided intermediate their .endswith the bearing bodies 9 and ILO-respectively, each of which hou-ses relier 'bearing elements l1,` A supporting shaft 12 entends through the `bearings y9 and 1.0 and is designed to be vertically positioned to support the sign the signto the oppositeend p for rotation about a vertical axis. :For the i support of lthe vertical shaftl'2, there is pref` erably provided a tubular :post or standard 13 intolwhich the -lower end of the shaft 12 extends, the said lower end being provided with a relatively thick washer 14 ,which snugly' .tits` within the post to maintain the y shaft in .position .upon the longitudinal Center thereof, coasting with the centilally apertured cap member 15 detachably mounted upon the upper end of the post,for this purpose, the u shaft eXtendingt-hrough the aperture of this cap as shown. The post 12 extends through the top and bottom rails of the board 7 be tween the sheets or pla-tes 7b.

Mounted upon the cap 15 is a bearing block 16 from which the post 12 extends, the upper surface of this block being provided with an annular ball race 17 for the reception of the anti-friction balls 18, the lower surface Vof the A bearing member 10 being provided with a similarly formed race-way 19 for fthe reception of thevballs', thus forming an antifric tion Vsupport for the sign.

v The ball bearing supportand roller eleinents may be keptsupplied with lubricant ,f

in any appropriate manner, for example, by the provisionv of a wick or the like.

In Figure 3 there is shown a modification of the supporting bearing for the sign structure.

-In this form the post 20 has the upper'end thereof cupped as at 2l to receive a single bearing ball 22. The upper end of the supporting post 20 is surrounded by a shellv 23 which is designed to receive a lubricant and within the shell and snugly engaging the post is a steel sleeve 24, the `upper end of which is closed as at and against which the ball 22 is pressed when the sign is mounted in position. AThe wall of the sleeve 24 is aper-` tured as at 26V to permit grease to pass from the shell 23 to the friction ball and to lubricate the contacting surfaces between the post and the sleeve 24. The upper end 25 of the sleeve has a threaded stud 27 projecting therefrom, which stud extends through the late 28 which is secured to the top rail o the outer frame of the sign structure, and receives a securing nut 29, by means of which the parts are held in assembled relation.

A particular feature of the sign embodying thepresent invention resides in the construction of the pockets whereby very little wind is required to rotate the sign, the air pockets 8 being so arrangedthat they will catch the slightest breeze, thus causing the sign to move in the manner desired.

` From the oregoino description, it will be be seen that the herein described sign structure is of a novel character, will be inexpensive to construct and set up, and will be more eiiicient in bringing advertising matter to the `attention of the publie because of the fact that. unlike other rotating signs, it will not revolve too rapidly to permit passersby to read the advertising matter thereon, and at the same time the motion will be sufficient to draw the attention of the passersby and to give them a chance to see both faces of the board.

Having described my invention what I 1. In a sign structure, a sign board, a vertical supportin shaft having one end extending through t e board from one edge thereof to an opposite edge, anti-frictionk elements surroundlng the shaft within the board and adjacent said edges, and means for maintaining the shaft in vertical position.

2. In a sign structure, a sign board, a vertical supporting shaft extending at one end through the board from one edge to an opposite edge, anti-friction elements surrounding the shaft adjacent said ed es, means for supporting and maintaining t 1e shaft in vertical position, means for supporting the sign board at one edge upon the shaft supporting means, and anti-friction elements between the board and the supporting means therefor.

3. In a rotatablesign,` a relatively broad frame, a sign board comprising a relatively narrow frame having a panel overlying each side and formed to fit in the broad frame at an angle with respect to the side faces thereof, forming an air pocket at each end and at opposite faces, bearings formed intermediate theends of two opposite side members of the frames, and a supporting shaft extending through said bearings and between the panels Y of theboard.

4. In a rotatable sign, a frame, a sign panel positioned within said frame at an angle with respect to the side faces thereof to form an air pocket at each end and upon opposite faces, a bearing arranged intermediate the ends of one longitudinal edge of the structure, and a supporting shaft designed to be arranged in upright position and to extend through the side structure from one longitudinal edge to the other and to engage said bearing at its upper end. Y

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature.

FRED L. HINKS. 

